Thomas Gordon is set to become the new face of Michigan's secondary.Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

He started for four seasons, and helped guide Michigan from the worst defense in school history in 2010 to the No. 5 pass defense in 2012.

But alas, Kovacs is gone. And so is Floyd, the most experienced corner. Together, they accounted for 92 games played, and 80 starts. Wilson and Countess, their projected replacements, combine for 23 defensive appearances, and seven starts, all by Countess.

Kovacs himself started 46 games, while this year's projected starting secondary combines for 37.

But the flip side is Wilson is a more athletic safety than Kovacs, and Countess is a more athletic cornerback than Floyd. Throw in the addition of Dymonte Thomas at nickelback, and you're talking about a secondary that has upgraded its athleticism in a big way.

Countess isn't a total newbie, either. As a true freshman in 2011, he overtook then-senior Troy Woolfolk for a starting job, and was in the lineup seven times. He was the most productive freshman that season, and his future appeared bright.

He tore an ACL in the opening quarter of 2012, though -- an injury that cost him the entire season. For as painful as that injury was in 2012, it could actually pay dividends in 2013.

Raymon Taylor received a full season of starting duty as Countess' replacement. That means with Countess now returning, Michigan essentially has two returning starters, as opposed to breaking in someone totally new.

The real loss is at safety, where Kovacs' leadership and mental acumen simply will not be replaced. Thomas Gordon, entering his third season as a starter, figures to inherit the leadership role, while Wilson is projected to succeed Kovacs at free safety.

Wilson, obviously, is not the seasoned vet Kovacs was. But the 6-foot-2, 196-pound sophomore is faster and stronger than Kovacs. He better fits the Greg Mattison mold for defensive backs.

Projected two-deep rosterCB Raymon Taylor -- Was tossed into the lineup after Countess was lost for the season and Courtney Avery flopped in his stead. But Taylor delivered, showcasing in 11 starts the kind of quickness that J.T. Floyd lacked on the other side. In fact, offenses quickly and largely went away from Taylor and picked on Floyd, the longtime starter. He wasn't perfect, evidenced in the secondary's meltdown against South Carolina. But Taylor should be even better now that he's had a year to settle into the scheme and has the more-talented Countess complementing him.CB Blake Countess -- Remember when all the talk around Ann Arbor was how Countess was the next big thing at cornerback? Now it seems the narrative has shifted more toward five-star recruit Jabrill Peppers -- and Peppers won't play for another 13 months. That's what happens when you have to sit out a year with an ACL tear, as Countess did. But he's worked diligently to return, and should be a nice re-addition this season if he returns to his old form. The lingering questions are whether he has lost a step since the injury, and how quickly he can get back to game speed.SS Thomas Gordon -- The senior quietly has put together a strong career, starting four games as a redshirt freshman, 10 as a sophomore and all 13 last year. That makes him the elder statesman of the secondary, and he'll be expected to assume that role with Kovacs now wearing a Dolphins helmet. He's a physical safety who likely will play closer to the box and be utilized in blitz packages.FS Jarrod Wilson -- Appeared to be groomed last season as Kovacs' replacement, and now that fate is all but assured following Marvin Robinson's transfer to Ferris State. He played in 10 games as a true freshman and showcased terrific athleticism -- although he had some youthful moments, too, including one costly third-down pass interference call at the goal line against Notre Dame. But he early enrolled last year, played as a true freshman and, at 6-2, 196 pounds, fits the desired physical profile for the position. He'll be the guy.NB Courtney Avery -- He was exposed as a full-time corner, sure, but the senior has always played his best football in the nickel. He isn't really outstanding at any one thing, but isn't really bad at anything either, at least in this role. He's a strong leader with good character, so he's the odds-on favorite here, but he should look out because ...
--NB Dymonte Thomas -- ... this freshman is coming for him.Thomas is one of Michigan's best-regarded recruits from the incoming class, and showed why as an early enrollee during the spring. He made an immediate splash, and even had Greg Mattison and Brady Hoke -- men who really do hate singling out true freshmen -- saying he would be a contributor this season in the nickel. Thomas doesn't have Avery's experience, which could incumber any possible rise into the lineup. But he's 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, built in that rangy, physical mold that this staff has so vigilantly sought. He'll play this season, even if he doesn't win a starting job. CB Delonte Hollowell -- Has had a quiet career, entering just four games in two seasons. But he was among the most improved players of spring camp, and earned a surprising starting nod in the spring game. He won't start to open the season, with Countess returning, but could vie for a reserve role with Avery, Thomas and Richardson.CB Terry Richardson -- The sophomore has speed to burn, but still is checking in at a diminutive 5-foot-9, 162 pounds. He's not playing ahead of Countess or Taylor, and he's too small to play the physical style required for these coaches at nickel. Given that this staff prefers longer athletes on the edges, he might not factor into the defensive plans much at all. His biggest impact could come once again on special teams.S Josh Furman -- Has made more headlines in his career for appearing in court rooms than he has for appearing in box scores. But Michigan is light at safety, after Kovacs' graduation, Robinson's transfer and Allen Gant's move to linebacker. Furman, a gifted athlete who often contributes on special teams as a gunner, likely will play a reserve role if he can hold off the incoming freshmen.S Jeremy Clark -- He's about as big as any defensive back as you'll see, standing 6-foot-4, 201 pounds. Little else is known about the redshirt freshman, but Hoke has spoken well of him several times and appears high on his prospects.